Early Foundations: Childcare & Education as Economic Infrastructure
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early childhood education is essential to workforce participation, talent retention, and community well-being. This session explores how public and private sectors can collaborate to expand access, support working families, and strengthen the West Valleyās economic future.
The Honorable Cesar ChavezĀ is a seasoned government affairs strategist and former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, where he served from 2017 to 2023 and held assignments on key committees including Commerce and Appropriations. Throughout his legislative tenure, ChĆ”vez was closely engaged in policy discussions shaping Arizonaās economic competitiveness, business climate, and emergence as a national hub for advanced manufacturing and technology.
In 2017, ChĆ”vez was theĀ only Democrat in the Arizona House to support SB 1416, a major economic-development package that increased Arizonaās Research & Development tax credit and strengthened incentives designed to attract and expand high-value employers. Those economic-development tools have since been utilized by companies including Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), helping support Arizonaās growing semiconductor ecosystem and billions of dollars in private investment.
Known for working across party lines, ChĆ”vez also participated in bipartisan efforts involving housing, economic development, and the 2022 state budget, Arizonaās first bipartisan budget in almost 15 years. Today, he brings that firsthand understanding of the legislative process, appropriations, economic development, and stakeholder relationships to government affairs. Helping businesses understand how public policy decisions are made and how to effectively navigate government to advance opportunities for growth.
Cesar Aguilar was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona by a working class family. Cesarās mom was an English Language Learner teacher and his dad was a Union Heat & Frost Insulator in Local #73. Cesar graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Political Science in 2016. After graduating, Cesar went off to work for the Arizona Democratic Party. Cesar today focuses his time working for a nonprofit, the Arizona Studentsā Association, where Cesar works on advocating for college accessibility and affordability. Cesar truly believes that education is the greatest equalizer and our communities are strengthened by working class values. Cesar has experience serving as a current state representative as well as past serviceĀ on multiple governing boards advocating for Latino children in K-12 and higher education. Cesar knows what it takes to advocate for working class people and knows that education and opportunity go a long way.
Kimberly Jordan serves as Executive Vice President at WESTMARC, where she is dedicated to advancing the strategic development, growth, and long-term success of the West Valley region. Her passion for workforce and economic development drives her leadership in creating impactful strategies, initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
She is a graduate of the Talent Pipeline Management Academy (TPM), a program offered by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber Foundation, which equips leaders with nationally recognized tools and resources for workforce development.
Kimberly brings 27 years of experience in the healthcare industry, specializing in rehabilitative services including mental and behavioral health and physical rehabilitation. Her career also includes leadership roles in higher educationāserving as Director of Admissions, Assistant Dean of Students, and Campus Directorāwhich ultimately shaped her transition into workforce and economic development.
Zachary Milne is the Director of Policy & Research for Common Sense Institute Arizona. Zachary works with the Arizona research team to craft important and thoughtful research concerning the Arizona economy.
Prior to CSI, Zachary attended Arizona State University, where he first attained a bachelorās in economics and statistics, followed by a masterās degree in economics. Zachary has also worked in the Arizona Governorās budget office, where he served as an economist. In this capacity he developed the stateās revenue forecasts, and advised a team of budget analysts on the creation of K-12 and Medicaid caseload figures for the Stateās annual budget. He also advised the Executive policy and leadership teams on fiscal policy, and regularly presented detailed analyses on each of the dozens of tax bills introduced in the Arizona Legislature each year.
Zachary is originally from upstate New York, and is an enthusiastic NY Jets fan. He also served over eight years in the United States Air Force, and currently serves in the Arizona Air National Guard at the 161stĀ Air Refueling Wing in Phoenix Arizona. He is a proud husband and father to four beautiful children.
